In early 2026, NASA ramped up its push to move space technology into the private sector by issuing notices of intent to grant exclusive patent licenses for new inventions. As featured in the spin-off 2026 publication, this effort enables private companies, including startups, to secure exclusive or shared rights to NASA-patented inventions, sparking a rush to commercialize these technologies.
Key 2026: Patent Licensing Developments
NASA’s Technology Transfer Program is looking for partners to help bring new inventions to market:
- In February 2026, NASA said it planned to give Outpost Technologies Inc. (Huntsville, Alabama) an exclusive license for a ruggedized, miniaturized infrared camera system for aerospace environments (US patent 11622062B1).
- In January 2026, NASA announced plans to grant exclusive or shared licenses to World AI LLC (Conover, North Carolina) for patents covering damage detection systems and methods for mapping anomalies in uniform materials.
- Encourage commercialization. The initiative grants startups a no-upfront payment policy for the first 3 years. Standard royalties are collected only after product sales begin.
- This is the 50th edition of NASA’s Spin-off, which features 20 technologies ready for commercialization in its Spin-offs of Tomorrow section. These are part of a larger portfolio of more than 1,300 patents available for licensing.
2026 Gold Rush Technology Areas
These available technologies cover a range of sectors and aim to bring space innovations into everyday use:
- Advanced materials and manufacturing include high-temperature alloys such as GRX 810 and 3D-printed metal alloys.
- AI and software offerings feature machine learning, data analytics, and self-driving navigation systems for robotics.
- Sensors and instrumentation include high-rate, delay-tolerant networking software and specialized imaging systems.
- Aerospace and Defense Technologies feature airless, super-elastic Metl tires engineered for the 2026 Fetch rover, as well as specialized coatings and cryogenic non-pneumatic alloys.
How The Licensing Process Works
- NASA publishes notices of intent in the Federal Register, which opens a period for public comments or objections. For example, some cases allow comments until February 26, 2026.
- Companies can negotiate exclusive rights to certain patents for specific uses.
- Agencies are required to create a commercialization plan and report on their progress toward practical application.
Along with the planned 2026 launches, such as the Sunrise mission and the Nancy Grace Roman Orbital Telescope. These efforts are accelerating the private-sector commercialization of space technologies.
NASA is offering start-up companies the opportunity to license patented NASA technology without upfront costs. The start-up NASA initiative helps start-ups tackle two common challenges: raising money and securing intellectual property rights.
NASA’s technology transfer program was created to help high-tech businesses grow and support American innovation. Startups can choose from over 1,200 patented NASA technologies, including materials, coatings, sensors, aeronautics, and instrumentation.
The startup NASA initiative uses our state-of-the-art research and development, so entrepreneurs can take that research and some risks to create new products and services, said David Miller, NASA’s chief technologist.
It is easy to find licensed technologies. NASA has set up an online patent portfolio with 15 categories, each containing patents protected under US government law. After choosing a technology, startups can complete and submit an application on the website.
The license is free, but start-up companies need to follow these guidelines:
- This offer is only available to companies created specifically to commercialize NASA technology.
- No upfront payment means NASA does not charge initial licensing fees, and there are no minimum fees for the first three years.
- When the company begins selling a product, NASA will collect a standard net royalty fee payment first, with the rest supporting NASA’s technology transfer and advancement efforts.
- This announcement is for Non-Exclusive Licenses, so other companies can also apply to use the technology for commercial purposes. If a startup wants more exclusive rights, NASA is open to negotiation.
- Companies that obtain these licenses must comply with all federal licensing laws and NASA policies. This includes making a commercialization plan and reporting on their progress toward practical use.
To learn more about this program, visit http://www.technology.nasa.gov/startup.
Source:NASA Offers Licenses of Patented Technologies to Start-Up Companies
